April showers bring may flowers, but it also signals the start of more horror releases to come! So we’re here to make sure you don’t miss a single slash, scream, or supernatural soirée. This month’s lineup is packed with fresh terrors worth sinking your teeth into, from celebrated indie horror hit makers with a new flick to shriek and revolt at, celebrated directors known for their blockbuster hits now leaning into period horror, and legends of the genre looking to make another bloody splash.
Some of these have already been released and are racking up reviews, while others are lurking just around the corner. We’ve done the work to bring you the essential horror releases hitting theaters this month — complete with early reactions, standout casts, and the kind of twisted plots to haunt your group chat for weeks. Let’s get into it.
Screamboat – April 2nd
Directed by Steven LaMorte, Screamboat is a horror-comedy reimagining the 1928 animated short Steamboat Willie as a slasher film (announcing the film a day after the version of the character entered the public domain). The story unfolds aboard a late-night Staten Island ferry, where passengers are terrorized by a monstrous, mutated mouse named Steamboat Willie, portrayed by David Howard Thornton, known for his role as Art the Clown in the Terrifier series . The ensemble cast includes Allison Pittel, Jesse Posey, Kailey Hyman, and Tyler Posey. The film employs practical effects and puppetry to bring the killer mouse to life, with costume design by Christian Cordella and effects by Quantum Creation FX .
The film’s setting, a confined Staten Island ferry, adds a sense of claustrophobia to enhance this steam-powered hell ride. It’s also chock full of references to Disney characters, with all the leading ladies being a variation of a Disney princess, and lyrics from some of their biggest hits being added as pointed dialogue (“Let it go” could go over someone’s head, were it not for others like “Be our guest” and “It’s a small world after all” clearly showing their wink to the camera).
While some adore the goofiness of Thornton’s mouse killer, fitting right at home with what Terrifier fans come to expect from his physical performances, others felt the pacing and the design of the antagonist lacking any actual menace or scares. Though, one could argue if you’re going to watch a slasher comedy adaptation of one of Disney’s oldest and beloved icons, you should probably have an idea of what you’re in for.
Hell of a Summer – April 4th
Hell of a Summer marks the directorial feature debut of Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk, who also co-wrote and star in the film. Set in Camp Pineway, the plot follows a group of counselors preparing for the summer season, only to be targeted by a masked killer. The cast features Fred Hechinger, Abby Quinn, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Pardis Saremi, Rosebud Baker, and Adam Pally. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023 and was later acquired by Neon for U.S. distribution
Critics have offered mixed reviews. Valerie Complex of Deadline praised the film’s blend of ’80s horror nostalgia with modern creativity, though she noted issues with lighting in nighttime scenes. Peter Debruge of Variety found it derivative yet entertaining, citing its appealing cast and memorable characters. Conversely, Calum Marsh of The New York Times described it as “surprisingly tame” and “boring”. The film holds a 52% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Drop – April 11th
Directed by Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day), Drop is a techno-thriller centered on Violet (Meghann Fahy), a widowed mother who, during a first date with Henry (Brandon Sklenar), receives threatening messages via a digital app called DigiDrop. The anonymous sender demands she follow disturbing instructions or risk the lives of her son and sister, who are being monitored via hacked security cameras . The film also features Violett Beane, Jacob Robinson, and Jeffery Self, with a score composed by Bear McCreary .
Drop premiered at SXSW last month and has been praised for its suspenseful, Hitchcock-esque narrative and Fahy’s compelling performance. Along with an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Guardian highlighted its effective use of a confined setting to build tension, and AP News commended its commentary on digital dependency and modern dating.
Sinners – April 18th
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners marks a bold departure from his previous franchise work, delivering a genre-blending horror film set in 1930s Mississippi. The story follows twin brothers Smoke and Stack, both portrayed by Coogler’s longtime collaborator Michael B. Jordan, who return to their hometown to open a juke joint, only to confront a sinister force threatening their community. The film delves into themes of racial oppression, cultural legacy, and the seductive nature of power, using vampirism as a metaphor for systemic exploitation.
The ensemble cast includes Hailee Steinfeld as Mary, a biracial woman turned vampire; Miles Caton as Sammie Moore, the twins’ spiritually gifted cousin; Jack O’Connell as the menacing country singer Remmick; Wunmi Mosaku, Delroy Lindo, and others. The film’s rich atmosphere is heightened by Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s cinematography and Ludwig Göransson’s evocative score.
Early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with Sinners holding a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 83. Critics praise its ambitious storytelling, thematic depth, and Jordan’s dual performance. The film is being hailed as one of the standout horror releases of the year, combining visceral thrills with poignant social commentary.
The Shrouds – April 25th
David Cronenberg returns with The Shrouds, a deeply personal exploration of grief, technology, and surveillance. The film centers on Karsh (Vincent Cassel), a widowed tech entrepreneur who invents GraveTech—a controversial system allowing the living to monitor the decomposition of their deceased loved ones via high-tech shrouds and headstone screens. When his wife’s grave is desecrated, Karsh embarks on a journey that intertwines mourning with a techno-thriller narrative.
The supporting cast includes Diane Kruger, portraying both Karsh’s late wife and her twin sister, and Guy Pearce as a mysterious figure entangled in the unfolding conspiracy. Cronenberg, inspired by his own experiences of loss, weaves a narrative that blends body horror with a meditation on the commodification of mourning.
Premiering at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, The Shrouds received mixed reviews. Some critics praised its haunting visuals and thematic depth, while others found the narrative convoluted.
Until Dawn – April 25th
Directed by David F. Sandberg (Lights Out, Annabelle: Creation), Until Dawn is a cinematic adaptation of the 2015 video game of the same name. Rather than retelling the game’s story, the film introduces a new set of characters trapped in a terrifying time loop. Each night, Clover (Ella Rubin) and her friends are hunted by different horrors, only to awaken and relive the nightmare repeatedly. The narrative explores various horror subgenres, offering a fresh take with each loop.
The ensemble cast features Michael Cimino, Ji-young Yoo, Odessa A’zion, Maia Mitchell, and Belmont Cameli, with Peter Stormare reprising his role as Dr. Alan J. Hill from the original game. The film is produced by Screen Gems, PlayStation Productions, and Vertigo Entertainment, with a score composed by Benjamin Wallfisch.
Early reactions have been mixed. While newcomers appreciate the film’s inventive structure, plenty others have sounded off their criticisms over the departure from the story and characters fans have come to know from the original game. Some even have criticized a film adaptation happening at all, with the game itself being an interactive way of experiencing a cinematic horror story, and making a movie version seem redundant. Nonetheless, Until Dawn aims to stand on its own with a capable director behind it who’s no stranger to the genre.
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